My method will work successfully for nonfiction, less so for fiction. So if you're writing a novel, just sit down and write it. Novels are rewritten, rather than written.

My method works because it cuts down on the time needed to write a book, and it also lets you make a little money along the way - always useful for a working writer to keep the wolf from the door.

OK, let's get started. You've had a brilliant idea for a book.

Here are the four easy steps of the Lazy Writer's Method:

1. Write an article on the subject of your book

The first step is to write an article on the subject of your book, and get the article published in a magazine or newspaper. Yes, you can publish the article online, but I don't recommend this method.

You must get your article published in print, because if you do, you've soared over the first hurdle: the gatekeepers of publishing, the editors.

Anyone can get an idea for a book - in fact, if you put your mind to it you could probably get a dozen ideas before breakfast. Ideas are cheap.

If your idea passes the publication test however, you know you've got an idea that others respond to... and you've made a little money too.

2. What's the response?

Your article's been published. Now check the response.

Bit tip - ANY response is great. If you get a dozen letters congratulating you on the article, wonderful. If you get another dozen letters castigating you for the article and wanting your scalp, even better.

If there's no response to the article at all, look for another book idea. The lack of response proves that your article's (possibly) not worth pursuing at book length.

3. Write another couple of articles, and an outline

Let's assume you got a response to your article - or there was no response, but you love the topic, and you're committed to writing the book.

Your next step is to write another couple of articles, and an outline for your book. This package is part of your "chapters and outline" proposal package you'll send to publishing houses and agents.

Get the two additional articles published.

Then rework the three articles and complete your publishing package. (You'll need to do a competitive marketing analysis too.)

Send out your book proposal to people who can buy it.

4. The truly lazy writer's way: blog your book

Most writers would now wait, for a year or two, until a buyer showed interest, and offered them a book contract.

However, you're not just a writer, you're a Lazy Writer, so take the next step, which is blogging your book.

Blogs are instant publishing and they're amazing tools for savvy writers. Start blogging on the topic of your book - you'll get readers. Your readership will attract the attention of editors and agents, and with a little luck, you'll get your book publishing contract much more quickly than you would otherwise.

So if you're thinking about writing a book, try the "Lazy Writer's Method". It's a fast way to write and sell a book.